The United States healthcare system, despite its substantial per capita expenditure of 17.3% of GDP, lags behind other industrialized nations in terms of health outcomes per dollar spent. This disparity calls for a system reimagined, grounded in common sense and efficiency principles.
My vision is a healthcare landscape where freedom, choice, and efficiency are not mere ideals but requirements. The goal is to establish a system where healthcare professionals are empowered to provide quality care without the burden of financial or mental strain, and patients receive effective, timely care without fear of insurmountable costs.
Key Tenets of U.S. Healthcare Reform (FEEMP):
Financial Transparency: I advocate for upfront, transparent pricing in non-emergent healthcare services and goods, akin to the clarity a diner expects from a restaurant menu. For example, an MRI scan in one hospital might cost $500, whereas the same scan could cost $3,000 at another hospital only miles away. A bottle of antibiotic ear drops may cost $250 at one pharmacy, only to be found at a fraction of the price next door. Providers can be free to charge what they want, but such pricing discrepancies must be conspicuous. We must propose laws to make hidden fees illegal and mandate clear disclosure of costs at the point of service regardless of payment method. Also, insurance companies' eligible expenses or negotiated rates should be readily available to all participating parties before sale or utilization.
Expanded Insurance Products Across State Lines: Allowing the sale of health insurance across state lines can foster competition and lower costs. For instance, a resident in Mississippi could choose an insurance plan based in New York if it offers better coverage or rates, breaking down geographical barriers to affordable care. Furthermore, this larger pool of insurance networks must be accessible to hospitals and practitioners through a uniform application process.
Expanded Licensure and Scope of Practice: I propose the expansion of the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact to all states and US territories. This expansion will allow physicians to practice across state lines freely. I also advocate increasing the scope of practice for nurses and other duly trained healthcare practitioners commensurate with their experience level in at-need areas. By doing so, healthcare access can be significantly improved, and those needing a higher level of care can be identified earlier in their disease process. For example, allowing nurse practitioners to prescribe medications or perform specific procedures without a physician's direct oversight in more states could alleviate the doctor shortage problem, especially in rural areas.
Medical Litigation Reform: I propose reforming medical litigation to limit cases to severe misconduct. This approach would reduce the practice of defensive medicine, where doctors order unnecessary tests or procedures to avoid potential lawsuits. A more balanced legal environment will encourage cost-effective medical practices and less 'what-if' or 'CYA' unnecessary testing. According to Healthcare Finance, in 2017, the cost of unnecessary testing was two hundred billion dollars annually. I believe this to be a gross underestimation, not to mention the risk associated with such testing.
Paperwork Reform: The current administrative burden on healthcare professionals is overwhelming. Much like the digital systems used in banking, a streamlined, uniform system for authorizations and medical records can significantly reduce this burden. This reform would allow healthcare providers to focus more on patient care than paperwork. Reimbursement for health care professionals need not be associated with the number of tests reviewed or the length of one's note. Such burdens are creating burnout in our labor force.
Additional Areas Healthcare Reform :
Expanded Drug Reform:
Elimination of Monopolies and Price Collusion: A significant issue in the pharmaceutical industry is the monopolization of essential, long-established drugs. Such manipulation leads to artificial price inflation, putting crucial medications like epinephrine for allergy and insulin for diabetes, along with certain cardiac and neurologic medications, beyond the reach of many who need them. Medications with proven efficacy and a long track record of usefulness should be protected from monopolistic practices.
Patent Regulation: Patents are necessary for encouraging innovation but should not be used to maintain monopolies on essential, long-standing drugs. The patent system must be reformed to prevent companies from making minor, non-therapeutic modifications to extend their monopolies on these drugs.
Price Collusion and Market Manipulation: The practice of price fixing, where companies artificially inflate prices by cornering the market or market manipulation, needs to be addressed with stricter regulations and penalties. Such practices are not only unethical but also harmful to public health, making essential medications unaffordable for many Americans. For example, this is particularly relevant in the case of life-saving drugs like epinephrine, where an unreasonable sharp increase in price led to significant public outrage and health crises.
Regulation of Drug Pricing: There should be a regulatory framework to prevent excessive pricing of essential medications. This can include setting maximum price limits for drugs that have been on the market for a certain period and are critical for public health.
Encouraging Generic Medications: The process for approval and production of generic drugs must be streamlined to promote competition and lower prices. Generics provide the same therapeutic benefits as their brand-name counterparts and are crucial for decreasing medication costs.
Transparency in Drug Pricing: Pharmaceutical companies should be required to disclose the costs involved in the development, production, and marketing of their products. This transparency would shed light on the justifications for their pricing and allow for better regulatory oversight.
Replacement of Medicare and Medicaid in Total:
Transitioning to regulated private Advantage plans could bring more efficiency and choice to the system. For instance, a personal plan could offer more tailored services and coverage options compared to the current one-size-fits-all approach of Medicare. Furthermore, an Advantage plan can negotiate pricing more efficiently than the federal government, especially if such choices are portable across state lines. The current Medicaid and indigent care system can be run more effectively through Advantage plans (financed through the federal government but managed more effectively by private insurers). Abolishing the RVU System:
Moving Away from Government-Controlled Pricing: The current RVU system, where the government dictates the value of medical services and procedures, is incompatible with an open market and fair-trade principles. This system often results in pricing that does not reflect the actual value or complexity of the care provided.
Implementing Market-Based Pricing: Instead of the RVU system, we should adopt a market-driven approach to pricing medical services. This would involve healthcare providers setting prices based on supply, demand, and the quality of care offered, much like any other service in a free market.
Ensuring Fair Compensation for Healthcare Providers: A market-based approach would also allow healthcare providers to be compensated fairly for their expertise and the quality of care rather than being restricted by standardized government rates.
The Future Vision of U.S. Healthcare:
By implementing these reforms, I aim to create a healthcare system that prioritizes individual choice, fosters market-driven solutions, and minimizes government interference. The goal is a healthcare ecosystem that is effective, affordable, and accessible for all Americans, where the art and humanity of medicine are celebrated. I envision a system where doctors, nurses, and healthcare professionals begin to celebrate medicine once again and steer away from increasing burnout.